Soap cake retainer for shaving mugs



J1me 1942- A. D. M KELVY 2,285,996

SOAP CAKE RETAINER FOR SHAVING MUGS Filed May 7, 1941 7 Alf ed D. MKelv Lia r u j Patented June 9, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to soap cake retainers for shaving mugs and has for an object to provide a retainer adapted. to be placed in a shaving mug for holding a cake of'soap Within the mug prior to the use of the soap cake.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a soap cake retainer for shaving mugs which will also serve as a closure for the mug.

A feature of the invention resides in providing an extremely simple and inexpensive construction for the purpose.

An object of the inventionresides in constructing the soap. cake retainer with a head adapted to fit into the mug in a position overlying the soap cake and in constructing the retainer with ears extending outwardly from the head and urged into engagement with the inner surface of the mug to hold the retainer in position.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the retainer with one or more tabs projecting outwardly from the head by means of which the retainer may be removed from the mug.

An object of the invention resides in providing a plurality of tabs of a length at least sufficient to extend up to the rim of the mug so that the retainer and soap cake become supported through said tabs when the mug. is placed in inverted position upon a supporting surface.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing. the retainer from paper and in scoring the same at the juncture of the ears with the head to cause the ears to bend to conform to the shape of the inner surface of the mug. when the retainer is applied thereto.

An object of the invention resides in applying a disc to the head for holding the ears in engagement with the inner surface of the mug.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/r described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a soap cake retainer illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 2-4 of Fig. 1 and drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view of a shaving mug having a cake of soap in it and illustrating an embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the mug disposed within a carton and arranged in inverted position.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modification of the invention.

In the merchandising of mens toilet articles, I found that shaving soap in cake form may be readily sold together with a suitable shaving mug in which the soap may be used. In packaging such a combination, it becomes highly desirable to hold the soap in position within the mug and at the same time to provide an attractive and distinctive combination. For this purpose, I have provided a retainer which may beplaced within the shaving mug and which, when properly positioned, holds the soap in place and at the same time forms a closure for the mug reducing the possibility of the entrance of dust and foreign material into the interior of the mug.

For the purpose of illustrating the application of my invention I have shown in the drawing an ordinary shaving mug which is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I I. This mug consists of a bowl l2 of usual form having a bottom [3 and a circular wall l4 connected thereto, The inner surface of the wall I4 is indicated by the reference numeral 15 and converges slightly as indicated at I5 from a locality intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof toward the rim [1. The mug II is formed at the top with an opening it} which is bounded by the rim I1 and through which the soap cake may be inserted. The mug ll, if desired, may be constructed with a handle I9 by means of which the same may be handled. The particular mug shown is also constructed with an annular base 26 issuing from the bottom l3 on which the mug rests. Within the mug II is placed a cake 2| of shaving soap which is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the mug at the rim l1 and which is of a height equal to about two-thirds of the height of the mug, or somewhat less if desired.

In the packaging of the soap and the mug, the soap is placed within the mug II and the mug and soap inserted into a suitable carton 22 shown in Fig. 4. This carton is constructed from paper and has lateral walls 23, a top 24 and a bottom 25,, and is of such dimensions as to snugly receive the mug ll. When the mug is inserted into the carton 22, the base. 26 rests upon the bottom 25 of the carton and the rim l'l engages the top 24 thereof. The handle 19 of the mug is situated at one of the corners of the carton, thus urging the opposite portion of the bowl l2 into engagement with the opposite walls 23 of the carton I4. In this manner the mug is substantially held from movement within the carton.

The invention proper comprises a blank 21 constructed of paper, and preferably a type of paper which can be scored and readily bent at the scores. This blank is provided with a circular score 28 of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the inner surface l5 of mug H at the locality where the retainer is positioned when placed within the mug. This provides in the blank a head 29 of plate-like form which serves as a closure for the mug. Issuing outwardly from the head 29 are a number of ears 3| which substantially meet at the score 28 and which are spaced from one another toward their outer ends. Also issuing from the edge of the head 29 and situated between certain of the ears 3| are two tabs 32 which are disposed opposite one another and which are similar to the ears 3| excepting that said tabs are somewhat larger and longer. Overlying the head 29 is a disc 33 constructed of heavy paper of a thickness considerably greater than the thickness of the blank 21. This disc is centered on the head 29 and is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the score 28. The disc 33 may be secured to the head 29 by means of a staple or wire stitch 34, or the same may be secured thereto in any other suitable manner as by uing.

The manner of using the invention is as follows: The shaving mug II is placed right side up and the cake of soap 2| inserted into the same through the opening IS in the upper portion thereof. The soap cake retainer before erection is next placed upon the top of the rim l1. Pressure is then exerted upon the same which may be accomplished manually or which may be accomplished by means of a suitable press having a plunger engaging the upper surface of the disc 33. If the pressure is uniformly applied and if the retainer is accurately centered the disc 33 and head 29 buckle to permit of forcing the same past the rim [1 and into the mug.

As the retainer enters the mug the tabs 32 and the ears 3| are bent outwardly therefrom and the entire assembly brought into position upon the uppermost surface of the cake of soap 2| as shown in Fig. 3. If, however, the disc is placed slightly eccentrically upon the rim II, the portions of the assembly engaging the mug are bent and the retainer slides obliquely into the mug with less distortion of the disc and head. In either'case the disc and head are sprung past the rim II and into the interior of the mug. Due to the fact that the blank 21 is constructed of paper, the ears 3| and tabs 32 tend to spring back to normal position and are thus urged against the inner surface l5 of the wall :I2 of the mug II. The surface It? converging at the locality indicated by the reference numeral l6 prevents the retainer from sliding outwardly. Thus the retainer is firmly held in position and retains the soap in place within the mug. When it becomes desirable to remove the container out of the mug, one of the tabs 32 is moved away from the surface l5 of wall l4 and the same grasped and pulled outwardly. This disengages the retainer from the mug and exposes the cake of soap 2| contained therein. If desired, the retainer can be easily re-applied, as previously explained, for the purpose of sanitation and for the protection of the soap from dust and other foreign material.

The tabs 32 are of a length or height Such that the same at least come up to the edge of the rim ll of the mug. When the mug and contents are placed within the carton 22 the ends of the tabs 32 engage the-top 24 and prevent movement of the retainer and cake of soap. In the event that the carton and contents are inverted, as shown in Fig, 4, the tabs 32 form legs which rest upon the wall 24 of the carton which originally formed the top, and thus support the contents and hold the same in position.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modification of my invention. In this form of the invention the disc, superimposing the blank from which the soap cake retainer is constructed, is dispensed with. In such case a blank 35 is employed which is identical with the blank 21 excepting that the same is constructed from heavier material. Due to the fact that blank 35 is exactly the same as blank 21 and that the same may be used with a mug identical with mug II, the description of the parts of this form of the invention and of the mug will not be repeated and reference numerals followed by the sufiix a will be used to designate corresponding parts. With this form of the invention a higher grade of material is required than is the case with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 due to the fact that a thicker material is needed which must bend equally as well as the thinner material. The manner of use of the structure shown in Fig. 5 is identical with that previously described and the advantages of the same are similar to those of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. An extremely simple and practical construction is provided by means of which a cake of soap may be held in position within a shaving mug. The device can be constructed at a nominal cost. My improved soap cake retainer isreadily applied to the shaving mug and can be easily removed therefrom. The device can be reused if desired and thus may serve to protect the soap when not in use. When packed in a carton the tabs on the retainer serve as legs for supporting the retainer and cake of soap in the event the carton is inverted. The soap cake retainer of my invention provides a display surface suitable for use for advertising matter. My soap cake retainer can also be constructed to enhance the appearance of the article.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a shaving mug having a bowl formed with an opening at the rim of the bowl of sufficient dimensions to permit of insertion of a soap cake therein, and a soap cake within the bowl, a soap cake retainer comprising a plate-like head of the shape of the mug disposed within the bowl in a position overlying the soap cake and situated inwardly of the rim of the bowl, means at the edge of the head and engaging the inner surface of the bowl for holding the retainer in position, and a pluralit of tabs issuing from the edge of the head and distributed about the edge of the head, said tabs extending outwardly of the head and being of a length at least great enough to reach the rim of the mug and forming supports for the retainer and soap when the mug is inverted.

2. A soap cake retainer for shaving mugs, said retainer being constructed of paper and being flat at the time of insertion into the mug, said retainer comprising a plate-like head of the shape of the mug adapted to fit within the mug in a position overlying the soap cake, a plurality of ears issuing from the edge of the head and extending outwardly therefrom, a disc disposed upon the outermost surface of said head and secured thereto, said disc causing bending of the ears at the locality of the inner surface of the mug when the retainer is inserted into the mug and serving to urge the ears into engagement therewith, and a tab secured to said cake retainer for removing the retainer from the mug.

3. A soap cake retainer for shaving mugs, said retainer being constructed of paper and being flat at the time of insertion into the mug, said retainer com-prising a plate-like head of the shape of the mug adapted to fit within the mug in a position overlying the soap cake, a plurality of ears issuing from the edge of the head and extending outwardly therefrom, said head being weakened along a line at the locality of issuance of the ears therefrom, a disc disposed upon the outermost surface of said head and secured thereto, the edge of said disc following along said line of weakening of the head and causing bending of the ears at the locality of the inner surface of the mug and serving to urge the ears into engagement therewith, and a tab secured to said head for removing the retainer from the mug.

ALFRED D. McKELVY. 

